Penguins’ Ben Kindel hospitalized after ‘medical episode’ on team airplane

The Pittsburgh Penguins announced on Tuesday, forward Ben Kindel was involved in a medical episode on the team's flight from Utah.

A statement from the Pittsburgh Penguins https://t.co/fyFReh2BWL

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 20, 2026

Per the team's report, team physician Dr. Dharmesh Vyas and the rest of the team’s medical staff treated Kindel. When the Penguins then landed, an ambulance was on the scene to take Kindel to the University of Utah Hospital for further testing and evaluation.

The Penguins were flying back from Utah after completing a four-game road trip on Monday night. The Pens lost to the Mammoth 5-4, and Kindel was in the lineup, playing 18:53 of ice-time, which was second among the Penguins' forwards.

Kindel has played in nine of the 10 Penguins games this season, scoring two goals, while adding two assists. He's been struggling of late, but is still considered one of the Penguins' core forwards moving forward, and someone Kyle Dubas wants to build around.

The 19-year-old Kindel scored 35 points as a rookie last season, and there weren't any major medical issues hovering over him entering this season. Let's hope all the tests, and evaluations come back clear early this week.

Members from the front office, coaching staff and medical staff have stayed with Ben Kindel in Utah. The team remains there but is scheduled to take off for Pittsburgh in a couple of minutes.

— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) October 20, 2026